The thought of the Empress Dowager gave Hongli a headache. He longed for a life of maternal love and filial piety, but unfortunately, his mother always liked to go against him. No matter what decision he made, she would always disagree.
She certainly wouldn't agree to the Empress Dowager's deposition. Knowing the Empress Dowager's attitude, Hongli still wanted to try his best to win her over.
"Was it difficult to conquer the Dzungar Khanate? Was it difficult to fight floods and droughts? We cannot give up just because it is difficult. Only by striving hard can we possibly achieve the results I want."
"If I don't depose the empress, Yu Ying might use other underhanded tricks to harm you again. You can't be lucky enough to escape every time. To ensure your safety, I must face this challenge head-on!"
Meeting Hongli's resolute gaze, Su Yushan suddenly felt she shouldn't discourage him. Since he had made up his mind, no matter the outcome, she should silently support him.
"I know you're doing all this for me, so let's do it your way. If the Empress Dowager agrees, fine. If she doesn't, then you should back down and not make things too awkward."
Nodding, Hongli took her hand and gently stroked the back of it.
“I understand your concerns. Your mother is difficult to deal with, so I will handle her. You just need to focus on your pregnancy.”
The imperial physicians had already inspected Consort Chun's bedchamber and confirmed that it was safe and sound, so Hongli did not go to Yangxin Hall and stayed in Jingren Palace with Yushan.
After dinner, Hongli was reading a book, while Su Yushan went to take a bath.
At this moment, Su Yushan's heart was as blurry as the surrounding mist, unable to see the truth.
If the poison in the lampshade wasn't administered by the Empress and her servants, then who was behind all of this? Lan Rong? Or Gao Xiuwen?
Did Xiao Xunzi lie? Or was there a third person involved?
Overthinking caused Su Yushan a splitting headache, and she was still unable to make a decision.
Hongli also had to deal with the Empress Dowager, and he probably wouldn't have any peace these next few days, so Su Yushan didn't bring up the matter again, thinking she would wait until he was done with his work before bringing it up again.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night. Su Yushan couldn't sleep soundly, and Yuying also didn't close her eyes all night.
The next morning, she sent someone to inquire about Dong Ling's whereabouts. After much persuasion from Granny Qin, the guard finally told her that the Emperor had ordered Dong Ling to be executed at noon by being torn apart by five horses!
Hongli did say such a thing, but Yuying thought he was just saying it casually. Little did she know that he would actually put Dongling to death!
Yu Ying's heart clenched. Panicked and helpless, she had no choice but to take the last option and go to the palace gate herself, saying that she wanted to see Consort Chun.
The guard was immediately put in a difficult position. "Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for me anymore. His Majesty has instructed that your Phoenix Token has lost its effect, and you cannot leave even if you have it."
"His Majesty only said that I am not allowed to go out, but he did not say that others are not allowed to come in. Go to Jingren Palace and invite Consort Chun over for me."
The matter had already spread throughout the palace, and even the guards had heard about it. He had held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help but say something.
"Your Majesty, it seems Consort Chun will not be coming."
Yu Ying frowned in displeasure and scoffed, "You just need to pass on the message; whether she comes or not is none of your business."
The guards still refused to go. Yu Ying's eyes narrowed slightly, and she spoke with a threat.
"Don't forget, I am still the Empress. If you pass on my message, I will be grateful for your kindness and you will surely benefit from it in the future. If the Emperor blames you, just push the blame onto me. If you refuse, and I haven't been deposed, do you think you'll have a good life in the future?"
The guard was also worried about being retaliated against, so after much deliberation, he finally agreed.
Then the guards went to Jingren Palace to deliver a message to Consort Chun.
Upon hearing this, Su Yushan's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She wondered what the Empress had summoned her for, and what she was planning. Or perhaps, she wanted to plead for Dong Ling?
Su Yushan was too lazy to socialize and directly declined, saying that she was not feeling well and it was inconvenient for her to go out.
The guard had no choice but to repeat what the Empress had told him: "Her Majesty the Empress said: She might know who the real culprit is."
Upon hearing this, Su Yushan was initially delighted, but then she sensed something was amiss.
If the Empress truly knew who the real culprit was, she should have spoken up yesterday to defend herself. Why did she wait so long?
This is probably an excuse the Empress made up to lure her there.
But if the Empress really knew something, then wouldn't she have missed out?
Su Yushan didn't want to miss a single clue, so she finally decided to go.
To prevent the Empress from resorting to any more underhanded tactics, Su Yushan specially brought two guards with her into the palace, just in case.
Upon arriving at Changchun Palace, Su Yushan didn't waste any words and went straight to the point, "Your Majesty, do you have any clues?"
Yu Ying shook her head and chuckled, "If I hadn't said that, you probably wouldn't have come."
Just as she expected, that statement was a ruse, and Su Yushan shouldn't have held onto any hope.
Disappointed, she turned away angrily. Yu Ying tried to stop her, but was blocked by the accompanying guards. She couldn't get close to Su Yu Shan at all!
Seeing that Su Yushan was about to leave, Yuying hurriedly stated her request.
"Consort Chun! Dong Ling may have made mistakes, but does she deserve to be torn apart by five horses?"
The Empress herself was foolishly kind, fine, but she actually thought she could persuade her? Su Yushan found it laughable, and angrily turned around to rebuke her.
"She tried to kill me. I was nearly trampled by a horse, losing both my body and my unborn child. And you want me to spare her? Your Majesty, you overestimate me. I'm not as kind as you!"
Saving Dongling's life seemed like a pipe dream; Yuying lowered her head sadly, her face filled with sorrow.
"I know you can't let her live, but at least don't use such cruel torture. Leave her with a whole corpse, okay? I'm begging you!"
Dongling poisoned the horse, causing its innocent death; therefore, the horse should end her life.
This was Hongli's intention in choosing this punishment. Su Yushan didn't want to get involved in these matters. "This is His Majesty's will. If the Empress has any objections, she can go to His Majesty."
"The Emperor will not see me, much less listen to me," Yu Ying would not have pleaded with her so desperately if she hadn't been driven to desperation.
"I've heard that people whose bodies are incomplete cannot be reincarnated. Dongling has been with me for so long, I really don't want her to be unable to reincarnate after she dies!"
The Empress is being superstitious again. Su Yushan didn't want to argue with her anymore, so she just said that she couldn't help her.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Yu Ying steeled her heart, knelt down before her, and pleaded, "Consort Chun, please, I'm begging you! Have mercy on her and give her a quick death! Don't be so cruel!"
"Why are you doing this?" The Empress's actions were truly astonishing. The palace servants exchanged bewildered glances, thinking to themselves that the Empress was willing to abandon her dignity for the sake of her maid!
Su Yushan was also shocked. She instinctively wanted to help the Empress, but then hesitated, worried that the Empress might resort to underhanded tactics. In the end, she stopped and instructed the palace servants...
"Someone come here! Help Her Majesty the Empress up."
A palace maid came forward to help her up, but Yu Ying shook her head and broke free, saying, "I won't get up unless you agree."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
